Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the late National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, South South, Chief Daniel Orbih, rejected several inducements and pressure to abandon his support for his 2015 governorship ambition in Rivers State.
Wike disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a night of
tributes held in honour of Orbih, who died on August 31 at the age of 64.
The former Rivers State governor said Orbih remained loyal
to him during a difficult political period between 2013 and 2014, despite
attempts by his political opponents to frustrate his ambition.
Wike recalled that the then Rivers State governor sent
people to Orbih with offers aimed at persuading him to withdraw his support.
“There was nothing in this world that was not done to induce
him. My governor then sent people to Dan, offered him everything in this world,
but Dan stood firm and said, ‘No, I will not accept, I will not agree,’” Wike
said.
He described Orbih as the person God used to pave the way
for his emergence as governor of Rivers State in 2015.
“Today I am a Minister of the FCT; yesterday I was a
governor. Who did God use for me to become governor? It was Dan,” he said.
According to Wike, Orbih went beyond political support by
helping to strengthen his campaign and security arrangements, including
donating two bulletproof Mercedes-Benz buses.
He said the late politician also mobilised political
structures across the South South in support of his ambition.
Wike described Orbih as a politician more interested in
loyalty and service than personal benefits, saying he never approached him for
contracts or favours during his eight years as governor.
“Dan is not a typical Nigerian politician. Throughout my
eight years as governor, he never came for one day, either by phone or coming
to my house to say, ‘I need this contract.’ Never,” he said.
The FCT minister said Orbih’s loyalty and commitment were
qualities that had also been demonstrated by his family over the years.
He credited the late politician with helping to protect the
political interests of the South South, saying many politicians who currently
occupy elective offices benefited from his efforts.
Wike said Orbih’s contributions to politics and the
development of Edo State deserved greater recognition, urging stakeholders in
the state to consider giving him a state burial.
He also promised to maintain his relationship with Orbih’s
family and support efforts to preserve his political legacy.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Board of the
Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Senator Magnus Abe, said
Orbih played a major role in introducing him to politics.
Abe described the deceased as a bridge builder whose
political influence extended beyond party lines.
Similarly, former Edo State governor and Senator
representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, said Orbih contributed to making him
a better governor despite their political differences.
Oshiomhole said he often considered how Orbih and the
opposition would interpret his decisions before taking major actions while he
was governor.
He thanked Wike for helping to reconcile him with Orbih
after years of political disagreement, recalling that their reconciliation
began at Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt.
In his tribute, former PDP presidential candidate, Senator
Sandy Onor, described Orbih as a public intellectual, patriot, family man and
defender of Edo heritage.
He said the late politician left a lasting impact on the
people around him through his public service and commitment to his community.
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